Applications of interpersonal circumplex and complementarity theory to staff‐prisoner relationships

Abstract

PurposeThe current study aims to examine staff‐prisoner relationships through an exploration of interpersonal style. It was predicted that the interpersonal style of prison officers would impact on their perception of their ability to work with prisoners, dependent on the specific interpersonal style of prisoners.Design/methodology/approachPrison officers (n=128) completed a measure of interpersonal style (Check List of Interpersonal Transactions‐Revised: CLOIT‐R) and a series of eight vignettes designed to assess their perceived ability to positively engage with prisoners of differing interpersonal styles.FindingsPrison officers with a friendly interpersonal style were found to be positive about their perceived ability to work with all prisoners whereas hostile prison officers were negative. Dominant officers were found to be positive about their perceived ability to work with submissive prisoners, whilst submissive officers were not positive in their judgments about working with dominant prisoners.Research limitations/implicationsThe results are discussed with regards to issues of role assignment within forensic settings and the application of interpersonal theory. The study highlights the need to examine a range of factors in order to understand the interpersonal relationships experienced between staff and prisoners. Future research could examine relationships between the attitudes that prison officers hold towards prisoners and rehabilitation and interpersonal behaviours.Practical implicationsThe findings are considered in terms of the prison officer role and the provision of support and training to prison officers.Originality/valueThis paper is original in its application of interpersonal theory to staff‐prisoner relationships.

The Interpersonal Style and Complementarity Between Crisis Negotiators and Forensic Inpatients

“…Based on an exploratory proposition, it can be suggested that crisis negotiators are friendly and positive in their crisis negotiation approach with all types of forensic inpatient (Bailey & Ireland, 2006) and, as such, are deemed friendlysubmissive in their interpersonal style. In agreement with Gredecki's (2008) recognition of literature that identifies positive interpersonal styles of prison officers and prisoners within a prison setting, this study suggests that the assumption of the indiscriminate friendly/positive approach towards forensic inpatients challenges interpersonal complementarity theory. It can be argued that complementing interpersonal style will encourage better interaction (Gredecki, 2008) rather than limiting the success of a relationship by recruiting crisis negotiators with a similar interpersonal style.…”

“…This is the first research study looking at the interpersonal relationship between crisis negotiators and forensic inpatients within the forced-contact environment (Gredecki, 2008) of a secure forensic hospital. Submissive interpersonal style demonstrated a difference between crisis negotiators, clinical workers and students.…”

“…A seven-point Likert scale ranging from extremely difficult (1) to extremely easy (7) was used. An example of the dominant vignette (Gredecki, 2008) …”

Group-based mindfulness interventions in prisons: a selective critical review

“…This is not the case in many countries, where prisoner–officer relationships are hostile (Blagden et al , 2017), which may cause further obstacles for successful MI implementation and adherence. Other potential issues include problems of role duality (Zur, 2015), which could manifest as a lack of prisoner empathy needed for MIs (Gredecki and Ireland, 2012), particularly if they have personal conflicts (Barry, 2020). As positive prisoner–prison staff relationships are a protective factor for programme adherence (Buric et al , 2023), the role of officers within MIs is recommended to be carefully considered on an individual prison basis.…”